Fowler put together a country band in 1998 and began playing Tuesday nights at Babe's on Sixth Street in Austin. Within two years, he'd begun recording albums and struck big with his self-released Beer, Bait and Ammo (2000). The album sold around 30,000 copies in the Texas area and garnered an impressive amount of airplay, particularly for the album's title track. The song became somewhat of a Texas anthem; Mark Chesnutt made the song part of his live show, and Sammy Kershaw recorded it. Fowler returned in 2002 with his third album, High on the Hog, and boasted some impressive guests, including Willie Nelson and David Lee Garza.
The Lord Knows The Drinkin' Man
Kevin Fowler Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The Lord loves the drinkin' manSends honkey tonk angels to the promise land
I hear that he can turn water to wineAny man that can do that is a good friend of mineI've been baptized in beer, I'm here to testifyI was speaking in tongues when I came home last nightSome folks say I'm livin' in sin, but I know
(chorus)
The Lord loves the drinkin' man
The Preacher man he told me boy you ain't no good
The devils gonna getcha, better start actin' like you
Should
NightThe good book it tells me boy your soul's gonna burn
My mamma said son you're headin' down the wrong roadThey don't let honkey tonkers up in heaven I've been
Told Don't you worry mamma I'll see you up in heaven
I've been thinking 'bout it and I've come to this
Conclusion now,
(chorus)
My daddy says son you're living your life all wrong
Lighting's gonna strike you down before too long
That man upstairs he don't like what you do
When you reach those pearly gates you ain't getting
ThroughWell I've been thinkin', I've got a brand new plan
I'm gonna start a little church down at the Stumble
Inn
Yea that's right I'm gonna start my own religion
We'll be drinkin' and dancin' at the church of Hank
Williams yea,
(repeat chorus)
Oh, yea I know
The Lord loves, I hope he does, the Lord loves the
Drinkin' man
Kevin Fowler’s song “The Lord Knows The Drinking Man” touches on a controversial topic – Christianity and drinking. The chorus speaks about how the Lord loves the drinking man and sends honkey-tonk angels to the promise land. The singer also shows his admiration for Jesus, who turned water to wine. The lyrics further talk about being baptized in beer, staying out all night, and being spoken in tongues upon returning home.
The song hints at people judging the singer for his lifestyle, and how he responds to criticism, stating that he knows the Lord loves him despite what people may think. The preacher man tells him he is no good and that the devil will get him. The singer’s response is to start his church, where they will drink and dance in honor of Hank Williams.
This song is not meant to disrespect anyone’s beliefs but to promote individual thinking and the importance of living life the way you see fit. It is about accepting people’s differences, and how one’s way of living might not align with another's beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
The Lord loves the drinkin' man
God shows compassion for those who indulge in drinking alcoholic drinks
Sends honkey tonk angels to the promise land
He sends angels who are fond of honky-tonk music to heaven
I hear that he can turn water to wine
God has the power to transform water into wine
Any man that can do that is a good friend of mine
I respect anyone who has the ability to turn water into wine
I've been baptized in beer, I'm here to testify
I have embraced beer and it symbolizes a spiritual cleansing for me
I was speaking in tongues when I came home last night
I was slurring my words due to drinking excessively last night
Some folks say I'm livin' in sin, but I know
Although some people believe that drinking is sinful, I don't believe this to be true
The Preacher man he told me boy you ain't no good
The preacher said I'm a bad person for drinking alcohol
The devils gonna getcha, better start actin' like you Should
The devil will come after you and you should start behaving like a responsible person
All the cold beers and bright lights, stayin' out all Night
Enjoying cold beer and the bright lights of the nightlife, staying out all night
The good book it tells me boy your soul's gonna burn
The Bible warns me that my soul will end up in hell
My mamma said son you're headin' down the wrong road
My mother believes that drinking is leading me down the wrong path
They don't let honkey tonkers up in heaven I've been Told
I have heard that heaven doesn't allow people who enjoy honky-tonk music
Don't you worry mamma I'll see you up in heaven
Despite my mother's concerns, I believe that I will still go to heaven
My daddy says son you're living your life all wrong
My father believes that I'm living my life in the wrong way
Lighting's gonna strike you down before too long
My father thinks that it's only a matter of time before I face the consequences for my lifestyle
That man upstairs he don't like what you do
God disapproves of my actions
When you reach those pearly gates you ain't getting Through
My father thinks that I'll be denied entry to heaven
I'm gonna start a little church down at the Stumble Inn
I plan to start a new religion at the Stumble Inn bar
We'll be drinkin' and dancin' at the church of Hank Williams yea
The new church will involve drinking and dancing to music by Hank Williams
Oh, yea I know The Lord loves, I hope he does, the Lord loves the Drinkin' man
I acknowledge that some people may not agree that God loves drinkers, but I personally hope that this is true
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